Rooney struck twice as United buried AC Milan to march into the Champions League quarter-finals.
That took him to 30 goals this term - 12 short of the Portuguese winker's 42 which led United to Euro glory in 2007-2008.
Boss Fergie revealed the England striker has Ron's mark in his sights.
He said: "It's a challenge. I am happy he's got to the 30 mark but to be honest, he just keeps on improving."
Milan's crushing defeat ruined David Beckham's hopes of a dream return to Old Trafford.
But Becks declared: "Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best player in the world with Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.
"They don't come better than that. He's a young player who's always willing to learn.
"He'll always be a worry to any team and any defenders. He is such an exceptional talent."
United cruised into the quarter-finals with a 7-2 aggregate win over the Italians. And Fergie insisted he does not mind who they get in the last-eight draw on Friday week.
He added: "It was a marvellous second-half performance. We got a break with the early goal in the second half and that gave us a chance to settle.
"After that we played very well. When we play at that tempo, we are very difficult to play against - it was a solid performance.
"With the kind of team I have got, it doesn't matter who we are playing in the next round."
Rooney became only the second player after Walter Pandiani to score home and away against Milan in a European tie when he headed in Gary Neville's 13th-minute cross.
An outstanding pass by Nani, delivered from the left with the outside of his right foot, left Rooney with the easy job of prodding past Christian Abbiati as the keeper dashed out a minute after half-time.
Beckham came on to a hero's reception on 64 minutes - and was light-heartedly booed by his old fans with his first touch.
Park Ji Sung added United's third on 59 minutes and Darren Fletcher headed in on 87 minutes to complete the rout.
Fletcher said: "It was a great result. To win 4-0 against AC Milan in Europe is a great achievement and not many teams do that. We fully deserved our result."
As for on-fire Rooney, he added: "If he keeps going the way he is he can definitely reach the 40-goal mark. Wayne is not the kind of player to take it easy now. He will be trying to push on.
"There are so many great teams in the Champions League - but if you want to win it then you have to beat the best teams.
"We will see what the draw brings and take it as it comes but I think the rest of the other teams will look at us now."
1st Half Highlights
2nd Half Highlights
Beckham wearing Manutd Green - Gold scarf and post match interview
No comments:
Post a Comment